1
as in to bewilder
to throw into a state of mental uncertainty
the similar-sounding words "censure" and "censor" often confuse people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to complicate
to make (something) unclear to the understanding
stop confusing the issue with irrelevant facts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to mistake
to fail to differentiate (a thing) from something similar or related
a lot of people confuse popular fame with enduring achievement
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to embarrass
to throw into a state of self-conscious distress
she was confused by the shocking bluntness of his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to disrupt
to undo the proper order or arrangement of
vandals had hopelessly confused the papers in the office files
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of confuse
But when workers began to carry out those changes in mid-February, many drivers were confused.
—
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Those in charge knew that shooting in an area where men are lost is likely to confuse them or even excite them to panic.
—Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Often confused with taro or purple sweet potatoes, ube is sweeter and creamier.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026
Jurors confused an overcharge with a discount.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 11 Mar. 2026
Those in charge knew that shooting in an area where men are lost is likely to confuse them or even excite them to panic.
—Elwyn "bud" Myers, Outdoor Life, 11 Mar. 2026
Often confused with taro or purple sweet potatoes, ube is sweeter and creamier.
—Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2026
Jurors confused an overcharge with a discount.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for confuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for confuse
Verb
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Now, many millions of Americans are bewildered by events.—
David French,
Mercury News,
3 Mar. 2026
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McNutt housed some 700 kids — about one-third of the population of French Lick — and Bird found the campus outside the dormitory walls bewildering.—
Keith O'Brien,
Rolling Stone,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Their departures illustrate just how complicated the entire roster equation is, and perhaps how availability could outweigh the desire for name-power in future configurations.—
Johnny Flores Jr,
New York Times,
13 Mar. 2026
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That calculus is complicated by the festival’s famously dense schedule.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Tucked away off Lagos’ Admiralty Way main road, you’d be forgiven for mistaking its polite green exterior for something residential upon viewing.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
-
But that mistakes the symptom for the cause.—
Paul Polman,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Americans were left to root for the same team that embarrassed them, and that team delivered.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
12 Mar. 2026
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On Tuesday night, as the NFL world reeled with the Maxx Crosby news and the NBA was starry-eyed at Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, the rest of us were watching Team Italy embarrass the good ol’ US of A with an 8-6 win in the World Baseball Classic.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This illumination can temporarily blind the animals, leaving them more vulnerable while disrupting their natural habits.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
16 Mar. 2026
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At that point, the parasite disrupts brain regions that regulate circadian rhythm, causing patients to become sleepy during the day and awake at night.—
Fran Kritz,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These are the brutally real snapshots of a man well acquainted with—but still perplexed by—the powerful and destructive forces that lord over our lives.—
Dash Lewis,
Pitchfork,
4 Mar. 2026
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Hour said he was perplexed by his liberal friends expressing their condolences.—
Julian Roberts-Grmela,
New York Daily News,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In the movie theater, and increasingly on smaller screens, the boundaries between real and reel wavers and blurs.—
Richard Lederer,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Still, both were cognizant that Fred would treat Sam as a player and only a player between the lines and not blur the lines between parenting and coaching.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Buckeyes were flustered at times and committed 15 turnovers on the day.—
Ben Messinger,
Daily News,
7 Mar. 2026
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Nothing flusters her except dogs barking, and as the story unfolds the reason is easily surmised.—
Mary Damiano,
Miami Herald,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Confuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/confuse. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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